Scoliotone



Oct. 24, 1933. M ss c 1,931,990

SCOLIOTONE Filed Oct. 9, 1931 22 I N V E N TO R GusiawQ/Vassaek LUoJvu/m) MM ATTCIJRNEY Patented Get. .24, 1933 warren STA 'SGOLHOTONE Gustav A. lvfilassacls, Harrington Park, N. J. Appiication October 9, 1931. Serial No. 567,825

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements inorthopaedic apparatus, particularly for the treatment of lateral ourvatureof the spinal column, known as scoliotones.

The practice of bloodless or plastic surgery, as applied to the correction of spinal malformations, involves the long continued use of some form of mechanical support, whereby the parts a e held, after adjustment, for such period of time as may be necessary for them to become fixed in their normal position, recourse being had commonly to plaster casts.

The positive rigidity of such. casts causes intense discomiort, inability of exercising, prevents ventilation, and their bulk and weight are onerous in the extreme to juvenile patients, who are mostly subjects for such treatments, while the frequent change or re-application ispainful and time consuming. e

Having these matters in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a metallic brace made conformably to the individual undergoing treatment, but possessing certain characteristic features, such as an open basic band to rest upon and partially encircle the pelvic arch and an open thoracic band terminating in clavicle pads, all being connected by form fitting upright bars at the sides and back.

A further feature is in the provision of a lateral pressure contact pad, fioatingly and self adjustably secured to a tensionally adjustable strap, removably engaged on the frame, the pad being arranged to exert pressure at the apex of the laterally curved area, thereby to cause semi-rotation of the spinal column and consequently correction of the deformity.

Another purpose is to produce an appliance, light in Weight, substantially non-breakable, and when properly padded and finished, to be worn in the manner of a corset, gently but efiectively fulfilling its purpose.

These important objects are accomplished by the novel design, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, constituting a material component of this disclosure, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, indicating its application.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the same.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view thereof.

Figured is a perspective view of the floating ressure pad and its support straps.

drawn to an enlarged scale.

Throughout all the several views cushion coverings for the. pads andcasings of corset nature for the frame have been omitted in order that the brace iramestructure may be clear.

The frame is composed oi an open essentially rigid base band 16 encircling the back and sides but having its ends spaced at the front, constituting a partial girdle adapted to rest on the hip bones of the pelvic arch.

Attached at the back are two spaced apart parallel uprights 11, bent in conformity to the body, and extending upwardly to points below the shoulders to be united to a similar but lighter open band 12 bent to extend forwardlyunder the arms, about the thorax and provided with spaced upturned terminals 13 to which are secured clavicle pads 14 adapted to contact'the c'ollar bones.

A pair of side bars 15 having adjustable members 16, and bent to conform to the body, are fixed at their ends to the girdle lO and clavicle band 12, these bars being interposed between the body and arms when in normal position.

The uprights 11 are further independently reenforced by curved bracerods 1'7 fixed at their 1 lower ends to the band 10, at its inreaching front ends, and to. the uprights 11 at about. the waist line, these rods 17 being'nearly or quite in contact with the side bars 15at their innermost band's.

A curvedbar 18 is rigidly connected to the uprights 11 'at any preferred point in their lengths, this bar reaching over the bar 15 on one or the other side of the device to a point at theifront, and set, its free end is a stud 19; the opposite, rear end of the bar is formed into an eye 20 in whichis freely engageable a hook 21 at the end of a metal strap22, having secured at its'free front end a leather or like flexible strap 23 provided with openings 24 in which the stud 19 may be selectively engaged; obviously other forms of strap fastenings may be substituted.

Carried by the metal strap 22 is a pad 25 floatingly held centrally by a headed stud 26 in such manner that the pad may rotate and assume difierent angular positions, being self conformable to the portion of the body making contact with it.

It will be understood that the pad 25 may be arranged at either the right or left hand side of the device as required; moreover all he several pads are preferably composed of indurated fibre, a non-conductor of heat or cold, limitedly resilient, light and strong, and are covered on their faces with suitable cushions.

The entire frame is dimensioned and carefully fitted to individual requirements and all metal parts encased in padded corseting to be Worn with unusual comfort for a device of this character.

It will be apparent that the pad 25 may be adjusted to provide suitable pressure upon the area to be treated, which pressure is maintained by the spring effect of the elements 18 and 22, and can be increased or reduced at will by the fastening indicated or analogous devices.

Although the foregoing is descriptive of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent that minor changes may be made in its construction, Without the exercise of inven-- tion or conflicting with the scope of the claims hereto appended.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1. A scoliotone comprising an open band to rest upon the pelvic arch, an open thoracic band having upwardlycurved front ends, two spaced parallel upright bars rigidly connecting the rear portions of said bands, rigid upright bar connections between the sides of said bands, re-enforcing braces between the front ends of said pelvic band and said rear upright connections, clavicle pads on the raised ends of said thoracic band, an arcuate bar fixed to said parallel bars to extend over one of the upright side bars, a curved bar detachably engageable with the rear end of said arcuate bar, a flexible strap at the forward end of said curved bar, means to connect the free end 01" said strap to the forward end of said arcuate bar, and a pressure pad fioatingly carried by said curved bar.

2. A scoliotonc comprising an open band to rest upon the pelvic arch, an open thoracic band having upturned forwardly extending ends, rigid upright connections between said bands at the back and sides, said connections being form fitting, clavicle pads fixed on the forward, upturned ends of said thoracic band, reenforcement rods extending at the sides between the ends of said pelvic band and said rear upright connections, a sectional band encompassing said upright connections, a pad floatingly carried by said sectional and a single means to adjust the length of said band to vary the pressure on said pad.

GUSTAV A. MASSACK. 

